Part 13 (2/2)

'Oh, you mean they're stupid? Yeah, well maybe you do look like one then.'

Glitz grabbed one of the guns. 'Get down that hole, Dibber. Oh dear, these things are heavy, aren't they?'

When they reached the top of the steep steps, Glitz made a vain attempt to get Dibber to carry both guns. Dibber ignored him.

'Please Dibber,' begged Glitz as he staggered down the steps after him.'

'You always did despise muscle,' said Dibber reprovingly.

'Not when there are heavy things to carry lad. Anyway, Dibber, if we should run into the Doctor again'

'We shoot him?'

They descended the steps and made for the door that led to the lower levels.

'Not a bad idea lad,' said Glitz. 'But whatever you do, don't open your big parlo and let him know we're after the stuff...'

On the Courtroom screen the remainder of Glitz's words became a series of beeps, and the picture went black.

The Inquisitor raised her eyebrows.

'The remainder of that evidence has been excised, My Lady,' said the Valeyard smoothly.

'Excised?'

'By order of the High Council.'

'This is a judicial enquiry, appointed by the High Council, but independently conducted.' The Inquisitor's tone was one of quiet fury. 'It is my duty, Valeyard, to determine what evidence is relevant.'

'Of course, My Lady. The High Council simply felt that certain areas of testimony should not be revealed.'

'And why not?'

'It was judged to be against the public interest, My Lady.'

'I cannot conduct a full and searching enquiry without full access to the evidence,' said the Inquisitor flatly.

'Naturally, My Lady, the High Council would be prepared to let you consider the full record in camera.'

'In secret? But that would be unfair to the defendant.

Do you wish to lodge a formal objection at this time, Doctor?'

The Doctor sat back, considering. At last he said, 'No, My Lady. Let the Valeyard continue. Let's give him enough rope to hang himself.'

'Very well, Doctor. Proceed, Valeyard.'

The Valeyard shot the Doctor a quick glance, before turning back to the screen. To the Doctor's huge delight, he saw that somehow he'd got the Valeyard worried.

It was the first c.h.i.n.k in the Valeyard's armour.

'Hurry Peri,' said the Doctor. 'There isn't much time.'

'How long before this black-light thing goes up?'

'There's no telling. We've just got to get past Katryca, into the Castle, and make that demented robot see sense.'

Suddenly Merdeen stepped from an alcove. The crossbow gun in his hand was aimed at the Doctor. 'So you have returned, Doctor.'

'Missed your train, Merdeen?'

The train is noisy, Doctor. We hunt best on foot.'

'Oh? And what are you hunting?'

'You, Doctor,' said Merdeen.

He raised the crossbow-gun and fired at point-blank range.

11.

Secrets Merdeen's crossbow bolt wasn't aimed at the Doctor.

It was directed at Grell, who had emerged from another alcove, his crossbow aimed at the Doctor's back. But Merdeen had fired first. Grell crashed to the ground, a crossbow bolt in his breast.

Merdeen ran to the body and knelt beside it. 'Why Grell?' he whispered. 'Why?'

'You betrayed...' said Grell feebly. His voice tailed away.

'No,' said Merdeen pa.s.sionately. 'We were not meant to live like this. We should be free...' he looked up at the Doctor. 'He wanted the glory of your capture, to please the Immortal.'

'Don't blame yourself, Merdeen.'

'I've known him all his life,' said Merdeen brokenly, as he got to his feet. 'I asked for him to join the guards. I hoped one day he might see there was no reason for the Cullings.'

'Perhaps I can convince the Immortal of that,' said the Doctor urgently. 'I must get in to his Castle.'

'He will kill you,' said Merdeen dully.

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